Part Six

July – August 2010

July found us in a traffic jam at the Dartford Crossing. The journey to the All England Show jumping Course, Hickstead for the Royal International Horse Show is usually no problem. Road works and an accident delayed us for over an hour.

Ace had his own “accident” in the back of the horse box. As we were going to be staying overnight I had all the essential equipment; mucking out tools, his feed and a bale of hay – which toppled over, split open and scattered all round his feet. Ace is such a baby: “Monster! Dragon! Get it off!” Stamp, snort, kick. So there I was hanging on to a partition raking cuts of hay from under his feet with the handle of my mum’s walking stick! Fortunately we were only doing 5 m.p.h.

I’ve jumped at Hickstead since I was 15 but this was my first top level aside class - the Costume Concours d’elegance, wearing my green velvet Kings Royal Rifles outfit. We were assigned a stable and I settled Ace in.

There is a wooden bridge from the stables to the show ground. After dinner, I rode Ace down to the exercise area. He did not like the bridge. I tried convincing him there were no trolls lurking underneath, but he did not believe me. Fortunately, a security guard came to my aid and led him over.

As everything was quiet I rode him to River Lawn where we would be competing the next day. He eyed a dried-up muddy patch, then shied at a leaf. Sigh.

Up early Sunday morning. Showing and greys are not a good combination. Mum and I had been giggling the night before because I used one of those stretch cover-alls for him. Mum called it his baby-gro batman outfit. Needless to say all the bits that weren’t covered were filthy. Just as well they have facilities for washing horses at Hickstead!

There were about 20 ladies in the class, all looking very elegant and beautiful. Ace behaved himself as we walked, trotted and cantered under the gaze of the judge, then we lined up ready for our individual show. Problem. It was a hot day, River Lawn is called that because it runs beside the river. Rivers = flies. Ace hates flies.

He was fidgeting and fussing, gave a half rear, kicked out. He did a superb individual show, but I was not called out to join the ten who would go forward for final judging. I was terribly disappointed but in the collecting arena the judge apologised and said she would have placed me but couldn’t because Ace had been kicking out. She said how fabulous my costume was, and then told me I probably would have been in the top three. I didn’t know whether to smile or cry! I opted for smiling, and on thinking about it realised that getting a rosette wasn’t everything. The judge had liked me, Ace had done well, so I was content. Shame about the possible prize money though.

One exciting thing finished the shoe nicely; Mum and I bumped into Martin Clunes of Doc Martin fame. He is President of the R.I.H.S. for the next three years. Lovely man!

The following week we were at Addington Manor, Buckinghamshire for the National Side Saddle Show. What a fabulous event!

I entered the historical costume class but made a mess of it. Opting for something Medieval in theme my costume was nowhere near good enough. Still, it was an experience. In the evening we watched the Pas Seul: dressage to music, in costume. I’m doing this next year - good fun!

A quite night despite rain drumming on the horsebox roof. Mum got up early and fed Ace, then all hands on deck to prepare for the same class as the R.I.H.S. Only there were more entrants and the standard was very high. I felt nervous as I rode into the arena. Please, no flies! There was a wasp instead. Ace was getting agitated but the steward called me forward for my individual; phew, crises averted. Ace performed well, bless him. When you think, I had bought him just after Christmas, he had no muscle tone and went with his head stuck in the air. Now, here I was riding aside with him going in a beautiful, relaxed outline. I halted, saluted, and went back into line. I didn’t care about a place. We both looked nice, Ace had gone well and we had enjoyed ourselves at a quality show where top aside riders competed. That’ll do.

I’ve enjoyed writing this diary, but there’s not much more I can say. I will continue riding aside, learning more as I go along and I will be back at the R.I.H.S. with gallons of fly repellent, and the S.S.A. show next year. Photographs of my costume and Ace are on my blog, or if you want to chat I’m at Brook Farm T.C. most Tuesday evenings helping with course building.

I hope some of you will be encouraged through my diary to have a go at side saddle – it is not as hard as you think! So, farewell and happy riding aside!

Oh, how did I do at Addington Manor in the costume class? I came third. Well done Ace – you’re ace!

Are you a Writer?

as my Mum is an author of Historical Fiction (Helen Hollick) she often finds that she needs to research "equine matters" for her novels. Please feel free to contact me if you require advice etc for side saddle riding.

Maybe even come and have a go yourself!

RIHS Martin Clunes

Martin Clunes interview

Forget Martin - Click HERE to watch the class going on in the background!

Side Saddle Historical Costume at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, Sussex, July 2011

That's me in the green costume on the grey (white) horse!

I came 8th

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Lexie

at two months

About Lexie

Lexie turned 2 years old on May 10th 2010. She is already 16.2 !
I intend to bring Lexie on slowly as she is a lovely young mare - and I will ride her side saddle when she is older. My ambition? To be placed in Ladies Sidesaddle at Royal Windsor!

Lexie

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Lexie

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Friends, now grazing in sunny pastures on the far side of the Rainbow Bridge

Ishi

Adam's ex-Racehorse

Ishi

Erik, our foal

sadly only with us for six short days

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Jasper

known as Crime Scene in his racing days

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click image for more racing details

Ace

(Split the Aces)

About Ace

Ace was 17 year old 16.2 thoroughbred ex-racehorse. I bought him in December 2009 after I lost my horse Izzy (see below)

Sadly I lost him on February 1st 2012 - he had cancer in his spinal cord.

He was a lovely horse and will be missed very much.

Rosie (Cygnus Tudor Rose)

I sadly lost Rosie September 2011

About Rosie

Rosie was Welsh section c 13hh - and was an absolute madam! She was 21 years old but behaves like a spoilt 2 y.o. You could say she had a mind of her own!

If I was late in bringing her in from the field she would undo the gate and bring herself in. If I chained the gate she would push through the fence. I swear if I blocked all exits she would have dug a hole and burrowed her way out!

Sadly I lost Rosie on Sept 1st 2011. She had become ill and it was kinder to put her down before she suffered too much.

Missed greatly.

Izzy

(Elswyth)

About Izzy

I had Izzy from a 3 y.o. At one point I nearly sold her after she had been broken in as she was so difficult, but suddenly everything clicked and she turned out to be a fabulous horse.
Sadly I lost her in December 2009 when she was rising 9. Irrepairable damage to a bone in her foot meant it was kinder to put her down. She is sadly missed.